Division Of Mammals Research Articles

Potential functions of histone H3.3 lysine 56 acetylation in mammals

ABSTRACT H3K56 acetylation (H3K56Ac) was first identified in yeast and has recently been reported to play important roles in maintaining genomic stability, chromatin assembly, DNA replication, cell cycle progression and DNA repair. Although H3.1K56Ac has been relatively well studied, the function of H3.3K56Ac remains mostly unknown in mammals. In this study, we used H3.3K56Q and H3.3K56R mutants to study the possible function of H3.3K56 acetylation. The K-to-Q substitution mimics a constitutively acetylated lysine, while the K-to-R replacement mimics a constitutively unmodified lysine. We report that cell lines harbouring mutation of H3.3K56R exhibit increased cell death and dramatic morphology changes. Using a Tet-Off inducible system, we found an increased population of polyploid/aneuploid cells and decreased cell viability in H3.3K56R mutant cells. Consistent with these results, the H3.3K56R mutant had compromised H3.3 incorporation into several pericentric and centric heterochromatin regions we tested. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis coupled with label-free quantification revealed that biological processes regulated by the H3.3-associating proteins, whose interaction with H3.3 was markedly increased by H3.3K56Q mutation but decreased by H3.3K56R mutation, include sister chromatid cohesion, mitotic nuclear division, and mitotic nuclear envelope disassembly. These results suggest that H3.3K56 acetylation is crucial for chromosome segregation and cell division in mammals.

Seeing is Believing, A Fourteen-Year Study on Efficacy and Economics of Visual Inspections to Protect A Large Mammal Collection from Insect Pests

Abstract In response to the cessation of use of in-case fumigants, from 1995–2009 the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History's Division of Mammals (DOM) applied a consistent voluntary visual inspection protocol over a period of 14 years. On average, per-case inspections required about 7 minutes. Inspections categorized case pest activity as clean, soiled, signs of life, and live insects. These categories compartmentalized levels of uncertainty about pest activity and directly led to remedial treatment and cleaning actions performed at a case level. Evidence of recurrent reinfestation led to case renovation or replacement. In order for an integrated pest management (IPM) method to be successful, it has to demonstrate a predatory efficacy better than the replacement and recruitment rates of the pests. With at most 1.5% of staff time devoted to IPM, case infestations of Thylodrias contractus (Motschulsky 1839) Coleoptera: Dermestidae and Necrobia rufipes (De Geer 1775) Coleoptera: Cleridae were lowered to near zero within 3 years. Rebound toward initial rates occurred after a forced 3-year hiatus in inspections and was similarly dealt with by a following round of inspections. The hourly investment of time is comparable with that of previous case repellant or fumigation regimes, but without the aggregated loss of access to collections during enclosure and out-gassing of fumigant, thus allowing longer and safer access to collections over a year, and instilling greater knowledge of specimen condition across the collection regardless of current research focus. The study also includes an economic comparison to historical methods of case level pest suppression with fumigants against two other comparably large collections documented within the last half century.

Drp1 polymerization stabilizes curved tubular membranes similar to those of constricted mitochondria.

Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), an 80 kDa mechanochemical GTPase of the dynamin superfamily, is required for mitochondrial division in mammals. Despite the role of Drp1 dysfunction in human disease, its molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the effect of Drp1 on membrane curvature using tubes pulled from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). We found that GTP promoted rapid rearrangement of Drp1 from a uniform distribution to discrete foci, in line with the assembly of Drp1 scaffolds at multiple nucleation sites around the lipid tube. Polymerized Drp1 preserved the membrane tube below the protein coat, also in the absence of pulling forces, but did not induce spontaneous membrane fission. Strikingly, Drp1 polymers stabilized membrane curvatures similar to those of constricted mitochondria against pressure changes. Our findings support a new model for mitochondrial division whereby Drp1 mainly acts as a scaffold for membrane curvature stabilization, which sets it apart from other dynamin homologs.

Cell proliferation during hair cell regeneration induced by Math1 in vestibular epithelia in vitro.

Hair cell regeneration is the fundamental method of correcting hearing loss and balance disorders caused by hair cell damage or loss. How to promote hair cell regeneration is a hot focus in current research. In mammals, cochlear hair cells cannot be regenerated and few vestibular hair cells can be renewed through spontaneous regeneration. However, Math1 gene transfer allows a few inner ear cells to be transformed into hair cells in vitro or in vivo. Hair cells can be renewed through two possible means in birds: supporting cell differentiation and transdifferentiation with or without cell division. Hair cell regeneration is strongly associated with cell proliferation. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between Math1-induced vestibular hair cell regeneration and cell division in mammals. The mouse vestibule was isolated to harvest vestibular epithelial cells. Ad-Math1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was used to track cell division during hair cell transformation. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was added to track cell proliferation at various time points. Immunocytochemistry was utilized to determine cell differentiation and proliferation. Results demonstrated that when epithelial cells were in a higher proliferative stage, more of these cells differentiated into hair cells by Math1 gene transfer. However, in the low proliferation stage, no BrdU-positive cells were seen after Math1 gene transfer. Cell division always occurred before Math1 transfection but not during or after Math1 transfection, when cells were labeled with BrdU before and after Ad-Math1-EGFP transfection. These results confirm that vestibular epithelial cells with high proliferative potential can differentiate into new hair cells by Math1 gene transfer, but this process is independent of cell proliferation.

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Mammals: Orders Carnivora, Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, and Cetacea in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

The type collection of Recent mammals in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, contains 612 specimens bearing names of 604 species-group taxa of Carnivora, Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, and Cetacea as of May 2016. This catalog presents an annotated list of these holdings comprising 582 holotypes; 16 lectotypes, two of which are newly designated herein; 7 syntypes (15 specimens); and 1 neotype. Included are several specimens that should be in the collection but cannot be found or are now known to be in other collections and therefore are not in the database. Thirty-seven of the names are new since the last type catalog covering these orders, Arthur J. Poole and Viola S. Schantz’s 1942 “Catalog of the Type Specimens of Mammals in the United States National Museum, Including the Biological Surveys Collection” (Bulletin of the United States National Museum, 178). One of these, Lutra iowa Goldman, 1941, was transferred to the National Museum’s Paleobiology Department collection and is mentioned only briefly in this work. Orders and families are arranged systematically following D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder’s 2005 Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, third edition, volume 1; within families, currently recognized genera are arranged alphabetically, and within each currently recognized genus, species and subspecies accounts are arranged alphabetically by original published name. Information in each account includes original name and abbreviated citation thereto, current name if other than original, citation for first use of current name combination for the taxon, type designation, U.S. National Museum catalog number(s), preparation, age and sex, date of collection and collector, original collector number, type locality, and remarks as appropriate. Digital photographs of each specimen will serve as a condition report and will be attached to each electronic specimen record. An addendum contains two accounts for holotypes added to the collection subsequent to the publication of the catalog for their taxa. Appendices tabulate summary data for all four of our recent type catalogs (Fisher and Ludwig, 2012, 2014, 2015, and this volume) and include authors of names, collectors of type specimens, countries, islands, and provinces or states in which type specimens were collected, numbers of new names per decade, and summary numbers for holotypes, lectotypes, syntypes, neotypes, and new taxa since the last type catalog (Poole and Schantz, 1942) covering the entire type collection.

Natural history collections-based research: progress, promise, and best practices.

Specimens and associated data in natural history collections (NHCs) foster substantial scientific progress. In this paper, we explore recent contributions of NHCs to the study of systematics and biogeography, genomics, morphology, stable isotope ecology, and parasites and pathogens of mammals. To begin to assess the magnitude and scope of these contributions, we analyzed publications in the Journal of Mammalogy over the last decade, as well as recent research supported by a single university mammal collection (Museum of Southwestern Biology, Division of Mammals). Using these datasets, we also identify weak links that may be hindering the development of crucial NHC infrastructure. Maintaining the vitality and growth of this foundation of mammalogy depends on broader engagement and support from across the scientific community and is both an ethical and scientific imperative given the rapidly changing environmental conditions on our planet.

Spend time now, save time later: IPM lessons learned from the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

Abstract A case study involving a comprehensive inspection to discriminate between old and active pest infestations is described. Integrated pest management (IPM) processes within the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, Division of Mammals (DOM) are challenging because of the size and composition of the collection, the age of storage equipment, and a low staffing to specimen ratio. Each specimen cabinet was inspected by IPM technicians during a 6-week period in late 2012. Following that inspection, two members of the NMNH collections program technician team began a 9-week project to clean 5,925 incidents in the affected cabinets in DOM storage areas in the Natural History Building downtown. The results of this project show that cleaning up a pest infestation in any natural history collection can be done in a reasonable amount of time and will help ensure the preservation of collections in the future. Knowing that the collections have been fully inspected and cleaned will allow staff in the DOM to easily and rapidly address future IPM issues in a structured way. Such efforts facilitate future IPM inspections because evidence of any new pest activity is no longer at risk of being overlooked due to debris from past infestations.

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Mammals: Orders Didelphimorphia through Chiroptera (excluding Rodentia) in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

The type collection of Recent Mammals in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, contains 821 specimens bearing names of 810 species-group taxa of Didelphimorphia through Chiroptera, excluding Rodentia, as of June 2014. This catalog presents an annotated list of these holdings comprising 789 holotypes, 26 lectotypes, 11 syntypes (22 specimens), and 4 neotypes. Included are several specimens that should be in the collection but cannot be found or are now known to be in other collections. One hundred and twenty-eight of the names are new since the last type catalog covering these orders, Arthur J. Poole and Viola S. Schantz’s 1942 Catalog of the Type Specimens of Mammals in the United States National Museum, Incuding the Biological Surveys Collections (Bulletin of the United States National Museum, 178). Five specimens reported therein were subsequently sent to the National Museum’s Paleobiology Department collection and are mentioned only briefly in this work. They are Acratoenus? comes Miller, 1929, Paraconus serus Miller, 1929, Nesophontes hypomicrus Miller, 1929, Nesophontes paramicrus Miller, 1929, and Nesophontes zamicrus Miller, 1929. Orders and families are arranged systematically following D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder’s 2005 Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference,volume 1, third edition; within families, currently recognized genera are arranged alphabetically; within each currently recognized genus, species and subspecies accounts are arranged alphabetically by original published name. Information in each account includes original name and abbreviated citation thereto, current name if other than original, citation for first use of current name combination for the taxon (or new name combination if used herein for the first time), type designation, U.S. National Museum catalog number(s), preparation, age and sex, date of collection and collector, original collector number, type locality, and remarks as appropriate. Digital photographs of each specimen will serve as a condition report and will be attached to each electronic specimen record.

Parkin-independent mitophagy requires Drp1 and maintains the integrity of mammalian heart and brain.

Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy have been linked to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial division dynamin Drp1 and the Parkinson's disease-associated E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin synergistically maintain the integrity of mitochondrial structure and function in mouse heart and brain. Mice lacking cardiac Drp1 exhibited lethal heart defects. In Drp1KO cardiomyocytes, mitochondria increased their connectivity, accumulated ubiquitinated proteins, and decreased their respiration. In contrast to the current views of the role of parkin in ubiquitination of mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial ubiquitination was independent of parkin in Drp1KO hearts, and simultaneous loss of Drp1 and parkin worsened cardiac defects. Drp1 and parkin also play synergistic roles in neuronal mitochondrial homeostasis and survival. Mitochondrial degradation was further decreased by combination of Drp1 and parkin deficiency, compared with their single loss. Thus, the physiological importance of parkin in mitochondrial homeostasis is revealed in the absence of mitochondrial division in mammals.

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Mammals: Rodentia (Myomorpha, Anomaluromorpha, and Hystricomorpha) in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

The type collection of Recent mammals in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, contains 945 specimens bearing names of 931 species-group taxa of Rodentia (Myomorpha, Anomaluromorpha, and Hystricomorpha) as of August 2013. This catalog presents an annotated list of these holdings comprised of 905 holotypes, 16 lectotypes, 8 syntypes (48 specimens), and 2 neotypes. In addition, we include 44 specimens that are part of syntype series that should be in the collection but cannot be found or are now known to be in other collections. One hundred and ten of the names are new since the last type catalog covering these suborders A lectotype for Mus peruvianus Peale, 1848, is newly designated herein. Nine specimens previously reported were subsequently sent to the vertebrate paleontology collection and are not included here. Suborders and families are ordered as in Carleton and Musser; within families, currently recognized genera are arranged alphabetically; within each currently recognized genus, accounts are arranged alphabetically by original published name. Information in each account includes original name and abbreviated citation thereto, current name if other than original, citation for first use of current name combination for the taxon (or new name combination if used herein for the first time), type designation, U.S. National Museum catalog number(s), preparation, age and sex, date of collection and collector, original collector number, type locality, and remarks as appropriate. Digital photographs of each specimen will serve as a condition report and will be attached to each electronic specimen record.

A Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based analysis of modern South African rodent distributions, habitat use, and environmental tolerances

Goals of this study were to: (1) develop distributional maps of modern rodent genera throughout the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland by georeferencing museum specimens; (2) assess habitat preferences for genera by cross-referencing locality position with South African vegetation; and (3) identify mean annual precipitation and temperature range where the genera are located. Conterminous South Africa including the countries of Lesotho and Swaziland Digital databases of rodent museum specimens housed in the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, South Africa (DM), and the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, United States (NMNH), were acquired and then sorted into a subset of specimens with associated coordinate data. The coordinate data were then used to develop distributional maps for the rodent genera present within the study area. Percent habitat occupation and descriptive statistics for six climatic variables were then determined for each genus by cross-referencing locality positions with vegetation and climatic maps. This report presents a series of maps illustrating the distribution of 35 rodent genera based on 19,471 geo-referenced specimens obtained from two major collections. Inferred habitat use by taxon is provided for both locality and specimen percent occurrence at three hierarchical habitat levels: biome, bioregion, and vegetation unit. Descriptive statistics for six climatic variables are also provided for each genus based on locality and specimen percent incidence. As rodent faunas are commonly used in paleoenvironmental reconstructions, an accurate assessment of rodent environmental tolerance ranges is necessary before confidence can be placed in an actualistic model. While the data presented here represent only a subset of the modern geographic distributions for many of the taxa examined, a wide range of environmental regimes are observed, suggesting that more research is necessary in order to accurately reconstruct an environmental signature when these taxa are found in the fossil record.

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Mammals: Rodentia (Sciuromorpha and Castorimorpha) in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

The type collection of Recent mammals in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, contains 843 specimens bearing names of 820 species group taxa of Rodentia (Sciuromorpha and Castorimorpha) as of July 2011. This catalog presents a list of these holdings, which comprise 798 holotypes, 14 lectotypes, seven syntypes (30 specimens), and one neotype. In addition, we include three holotypes and 10 specimens that are part of syntype series that should be in the collection but cannot be found and three syntypes that were originally in this collection but are now known to be in other collections. One specimen that no longer has namebearing status is included for the record. Forty-one of the names are new since the last type catalog. One new lectotype is designated. Suborders and families are listed as in Wilson and Reeder. Within families, currently recognized genera are arranged alphabetically. Within each currently recognized genus, accounts are arranged alphabetically by original published name. Information in each account includes original name and abbreviated citation thereto, current name if other than original, citation for first use of current name combination for the taxon (or new name combination if used herein for the first time), type designation, U.S. National Museum catalog number(s), preparation, age and sex, type locality, date of collection and name of collector, collector’s original number, and comments or additional information as appropriate. Digital photographs of each specimen serve as a condition report and will be linked to each electronic specimen record.

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Mammals: Rodentia (Sciuromorpha and Castorimorpha) in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

The type collection of Recent mammals in the Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, contains 843 specimens bearing names of 820 species group taxa of Rodentia (Sciuromorpha and Castorimorpha) as of July 2011. This catalog presents a list of these holdings, which comprise 798 holotypes, 14 lectotypes, seven syntypes (30 specimens), and one neotype. In addition, we include three holotypes and 10 specimens that are part of syntype series that should be in the collection but cannot be found and three syntypes that were originally in this collection but are now known to be in other collections. One specimen that no longer has namebearing status is included for the record. Forty-one of the names are new since the last type catalog. One new lectotype is designated. Suborders and families are listed as in Wilson and Reeder. Within families, currently recognized genera are arranged alphabetically. Within each currently recognized genus, accounts are arranged alphabetically by original published name. Information in each account includes original name and abbreviated citation thereto, current name if other than original, citation for first use of current name combination for the taxon (or new name combination if used herein for the first time), type designation, U.S. National Museum catalog number(s), preparation, age and sex, type locality, date of collection and name of collector, collector’s original number, and comments or additional information as appropriate. Digital photographs of each specimen serve as a condition report and will be linked to each electronic specimen record.

218 DEVELOPMENT OF EVENLY AND UNEVENLY CLEAVED TWO-CELL PORCINE EMBRYOS

Mammalian eggs are so microlecithal that the embryos would be expected to divide in unison and that each division would lead to 2 equal blastomeres, which are believed to have a greater competence for further development than zygotes with unequal cleavage. However, some studies have shown that uneven blastomere size commonly occurs from the very first division in mammals, and it seems to be concerned with the generation of the first cell lineages of the blastocyst cells: trophectoderm and the inner cell mass (Gueth-Hallonet and Maro 1992 Trends Genet. 8, 274–279). In our study, we produced porcine embryos in vitro (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1031–1041), and newly formed 2-cell embryos were collected. Based on the timing of the first cleavage (30 or 36 h after insemination), the cleavage pattern (E: equal; U: unequal) and the presence or absence of a second cleavage (+ or –) within the first 2 days of IVC was classified into groups: 30E(–), 30E(+), 30U(–), 30U(+), 36E(–), 36E(+), 36U(–), or 36U(+). There was no difference between the 30E and 30U groups in proportions of the 2-cell stage, which had a nucleus in both blastomeres (99.0 � 0.8% and 91.4 � 3.6%, respectively) or between the 36E and 36U groups (98.2 � 1.1% and 88.0 � 7.2%, respectively). Comparison of further development between the 30E and 30U groups showed that there was no difference in blastocyst rates (70.7 � 5.7% and 61.7 � 7.8%, respectively) and total cell numbers (39.1 � 2.1 and 31.7 � 2.3, respectively). Although the blastocyst rate in the 36E group (37.3 � 6.7%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the 36U group (12.0 � 5.1%), the total cell number was not different (26.3 � 5.5 and 25.3 � 5.2, respectively). The timing of the first division, however, had a great influence on further development of the embryos; the 30-h cleaved embryos had a greater rate of blastocyst development (68.2 � 6.3%) than did the 36-h embryos (28.2 � 4.8%, P < 0.01 by ANOVA). The cell numbers of blastocysts derived from 30-h cleaved embryos (37.2 � 2.6) were significantly higher than those of the 36-h embryos (26.2 � 2.3, P < 0.01) as well. Two-cell embryos that were newly formed at 30 h and underwent the next cleavage within the first 2 days of IVC (30 + group) had a higher blastocyst rate (74.8 � 7.0%) and greater cell numbers (40.6 � 2.6) than those not showing a second division during this period (30– group; 46.8 � 5.0% and 19.9 � 2.2, respectively). In contrast, for embryos showing the first cleavage at 36 h of insemination, the presence of the next cleavage within 2 days after the first cleavage did not have any effect on embryonic development. These results suggest that the developmental ability of porcine embryos was influenced by the timing and shape of the first cleavage and by the subsequent occurrence of the second cleavage.

Sperm Storage in a Tropical Nectar-Feeding Bat, Macroglossus minimus (Pteropodidae)

Storage of spermatozoa in the mammalian female reproductive tract has been widely reported in shrews (Soricidae—Pearson, 1944), rodents (Muridae—Dewsbury, 1984; Ullman, 1976), hares (Leporidae—Martinet and Raynaud, 1975), and bats (Krishna and Dominic, 1978; Mori and Uchida, 1980; Mori et al., 1982; Racey et al., 1975). In this paper, we report the first example of sperm storage in the nectar-feeding bat Macroglossus minimus. These observations extend the occurrence of sperm storage in bats to a tropical, noninsectivorous species of the family Pteropodidae and raise questions about traditional explanations of this phenomenon in Chiroptera. Observations on sperm storage in Macroglossus minimus were based on specimens collected during the summer of 1979 and 1981 in Papua New Guinea. Samples were obtained from islands of the Bismarck Archipelago (Manus, New Britain, New Ireland, and Duke of York) and from Central Province, Papua New Guinea. Specific locality data were provided by Hood (1986). One hundred and forty female specimens were examined by gross anatomical dissection; reproductive tracts from 24 specimens were prepared by standard histological techniques tor light microscopic examination. Voucher specimens are deposited in the Division of Mammals, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Spermatozoa were found in the uterine cornua of eight nonpregnant specimens of M. minimus. Stored spermatozoa were restricted to the gestational uterus and were not found within the vagina, cervix, oviduct, or uterotubal junction. Free spermatozoa were not found in any portion of the female reproductive tract. Spermatozoa were arranged consistently in parallel, their heads oriented toward the endometrium, forming an intimate contact with maternal epithelial cells (Fig. 1). In each specimen examined histologically, both ovaries contained undeveloped follicles; no specimens contained preovulatory (mature) follicles or corpora lutea. Together with observations on the distribution of attached spermatozoa, these data support the conclusion that these females possessed stored sperm. Elimination of spermatozoa from the female reproductive tract following fertilization apparently is extremely rapid. In specimens that contained unimplanted and early implanted blastocysts, no traces of intact tree or attached spermatozoa were observed. The uterine lumina in these specimens contained a small amount of cellular debris; numerous phagocytic cells were observed in the lumina and interstitial spaces. Because our material was prepared for light microscopic study only, we could not determine if elimination was through phagocytosis by leucocytes, maternal epithelial cells, or through some other mechanism of cellular disintegration. However, the observation of a dramatic increase in the numbers of phagocytic cells and amount of luminal debris following fertilization is consistent with elimination by leucocytic phagocytosis. In the order Chiroptera, sperm storage has been reported previously in 23 species of the families Vespertilionidae and Rhinolophidae (Fenton, 1984; Racey, 1979). The site of prolonged storage of spermatozoa in most bats is the oviduct or uterotubal junction. In M. minimus the site of storage is the gestational uterus; attached spermatozoa were absent from oviductal and cervical regions. Special morphological relationships between spermatozoa and maternal tissues, principally involving epithelial cells, have been observed in most chiropteran examples. Orientation and attachment of spermatozoa to uterine or oviductal epithelia has been described in many vespertilionid sperm-storing species (Krishna and Dominic, 1978; Medway, 1972; Mori and Uchida, 1974; Racey et al., 1975). In Myotis lucifugus and M. velifer studied by Krutzsch et al. (1982), the uterine corpus and cornua were filled with spermatozoa that had no special orientation or attachment, whereas sperm found in the uterotubal junction were attached firmly to oviductal epithelial cells. The morphological relationships of stored spermatozoa in Macroglossus minimus generally appear to be similar to those observed in other species of bats.

Floral Biology of Markea neurantha Hemsley (Solanaceae), a Bat-pollinated Epiphyte

The floral biology of Markea neurantha Hemsley, a bat-pollinated epiphytic shrub, was studied in the eastern lowlands of Costa Rica. Individual plants may flower for months but only a few buds open each night. Anthesis occurs at dusk and copious amounts of a dilute, hexose-dominated nectar are secreted. Nectar production is highest in the early evening and is effectively terminated by midnight. The open corollas begin to abscise by 2200 hr and do not remain on the plant until dawn. Temporal patterns of nectar and pollen availability and extrinsic bat activity correspond closely. Details of the floral phenology and morphology of M. neuran.tha; are consistent with Baker's (1973) hypothesis that this plant is adapted for pollination by traplining bats. INTRODUCTION Bats which feed largely or exclusively on flowers comprise a unique and interesting element of tropical vertebrate communities. Although information on the ecology of nectivorous bats is slowly accumulating (cf. Baker, 1973; Heithaus et at., 1974, 1975), much remains to be learned. In this context, it seems important to understand the nature of the vegetative resources exploited by these chiropterans. This paper reports information on the floral biology of Markea neurantha Hemsley (Solanaceae), a Central American bat-pollinated shrub, discusses these data in terms of bat-plant coevolution, and indicates some aspects of bat-flower relationships deserving future study. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied Markea in the field from 2-4 August 1977 at Finca La Selva, a field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, in Heredia Province, Costa Rica. Finca La Selva, located on the Rio Puerto Viejo, occupies a zone of transition between the Tropical Wet and Premontane Wet Forests of Holdridge (1967). Nectar was collected with 10 microliter (,ul) glass microcapillary tubes introduced into the corolla. Sugar concentration of fresh nectar was measured in sucrose equivalents (% dissolved solids) with a Bausch and Lomb pocket refractometer. Nectar was spotted on filter paper and pollen was collected in a 10% sucrose solution for later analyses. Separation of the amino acid constituents of nectar and pollen was effected in the laboratory by polyamide Thin Layer Chromatography. Separated amino acid spots were removed from the plate, and the fluorescent derivatives eluted with 0.3 mls of chloroform:methanol:acetic acid (7:2:2 v/v/v). Fluorescence was then measured using a microcuvette attachment on the High Sensitivity sample holder of a Turner Filter Fluorometer, Model III (I. Baker, pers. comm.). Results are expressed as proportions of total fluorescence. Most of the field data were derived from inflorescences enclosed by standard Japanese mist nets, but otherwise exposed. Four inflorescences were also enclosed in paper bags in situ and sampled at intervals during, the night. Pollen was removed 1 Present address: Division of Mammals, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109. 2 Present address: Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706. 3 Present address: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona; Tucson 85721. 4 Present address: Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. 5 Present address: Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook 11794.

ISLAND AREA AND BODY SIZE OF INSULAR MAMMALS: EVIDENCE FROM THE TRI-COLORED SQUIRREL (CALLOSCIURUS PREVOSTI) OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.

The presence of Pleistocene elephants on Crete only 1 m in shoulder height, of giant rodents on Caribbean Islands, and of other equally remarkable dwarf and giant mammals, has prompted a variety of responses from their startled discoverers. Most of the mechanisms suggested for their origins are simplistic-usually a single factor, ranging from extreme food deprivation to isolation of antediluvian species. To my knowledge, no one has described adequately either the pattern of variation of mammals on islands, or synthesized the many suggested causes (Van Valen, 1973). This paper is an initial attempt to redress this deficiency. It is not intended as a thorough review; rather, it presents significant new data, briefly summarizes trends in body size of mammals, and presents a causal model of body size evolution in insular mammals. It is possible that the processes and patterns discussed here apply to other animals but I have directed my studies to maimmals alone. Each topic discussed below is worthy of a lengthy review, and it is my hope that this paper will stimulate additional research and discussion. During a study of the systematics of Callosciurus prevosti, the tri-colored squirrel of Malaysia, Indonesia, and peninsular Thailand, it became evident that body size of these squirrels was related to the size of the island on which the squirrels lived. This observation stimulated a more detailed study of size variation in these squirrels and led to the present paper. Body size of C. prevosti is discussed at the beginning of the paper, because variation in this species provided insight into the evolution of body size of insular mammals and formed the basis of my hypotheses and models. The biology of C. prevosti is poorly known. Externally tri-colored.squirrels resemble the familiar North American tree squirrels but are more brightly colored. Most populations have a black dorsum and tail, a broad white lateral stripe, and a red venter; many have a prominent shoulder patch which may be black, gray, red, white, or a mixture of these. In Selangor, Malaysia, tri-colored squirrels nested in trees and fed on coconut and rubber seeds, and oil palm fruit (Harrison and Traub, 1950; Harrison, 1962). Davis (1962) stated that in Sabah, North Borneo, they were found in primary and old logged forest where they inhabited chiefly the smaller trees of the middle story. Stomach contents consisted of pulpy fruit and about 5% insect matter, chiefly ants and termites. Three pregnant females taken on 20 June, 24 June, and 2 August had two, two, and three embryos, respectively. At Bukit Lanjong, West Malaysia, they have been seen feeding on the fruit of fig trees (Ficus) in the upper story (MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1974:36). Nothing definite is known of the predators or competitors of these squirrels. ' Parts of this study were carried out while the author was resident at the Division of Mammals, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, and the Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.

Stomach Contents of a Free-Tailed Bat, Molossus ater

Journal Article Stomach Contents of a Free-Tailed Bat, Molossus Ater Get access Ronald H. Pine Ronald H. Pine Department of Wildlife Science, Texas A & M University, College Station (present address: Mammal Identification Service, Division of Mammals, United States National Museum, Washington, D. C. 20560) Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 50, Issue 1, February 1969, Page 162, https://doi.org/10.2307/1378660 Published: 01 February 1969 Article history Accepted: 30 September 1968 Published: 01 February 1969

Nematode parasites of Oceanica. IV. Oxyurids of mammals of Palawan, P.I., with descriptions of four new species of Syphacia

Syphacia (Syphatineria) oceanica sp.nov. is described from the squirrel Sundasciurus steerii juvencus. It is closest to S. transafricana Chabaud & Biocca, 1955, differing from it in having a cephalic vesicle, an isthmus between oesophagus and bulb, and in characteristics of the gubernaculum. Syphacia (Syphacia) critesi sp.nov. is described from S. steerii juvencus and the flying squirrel Hylopetes nigripes. It is closest to S. thompsoni Price, 1928, differing from it in lacking cephalic vesicle, alae, and cervical papillae; in having a long oesophagus and shorter gubernaculum Syphacia (Syphacia) magnispicula sp.nov. is described from H. nigripes and S. steerii juvencus. It is characterized by having a spicule 312–338 μm long, much longer than any species yet reported. Syphacia (Syphacia) coli sp.nov. is described from H. nigripes and the rat Rattus exulans luteiventris. It is closest to S. critesi sp.nov., differing from it in sizes and shapes of oesophagus and gubernaculum, in having lateral alae, and in egg size. Syphacia sp. is reported from Rattus exulans luteiventris; Blattophila sp. is reported from the skunk Mydaus marchei; and Allodapa sp. is reported from Sundasciurus steerii juvencus.The authors wish to express their appreciation to Dr D. S. Rabor, Silliman University, Dumageute, Negros Oriental, Republic of Philippines, for general support in field activities and for tentative host identifications; Mr Max Thompson, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, for assistance in collection of hosts and Dr David H. Johnson, Research Curator, Division of Mammals, U.S. National Museum Washington, D.C., for final host identifications. Thanks are extended to Dr W. G. Dyer and Dr P. D. Leiby, Minot State College, for technical assistance during the course of this work, and to Dr W. W. Becklund, Beltsville Parasitological Laboratory, for the loan of specimens for comparative purposes. Special thanks are due to Mrs MayBelle Chitwood, whose efforts greatly improved the quality of this work.

Bryophyta of Arctic America. VI. A Collection From Prince Patrick Island

While engaged in field work in arctic Canada during the summer of 1949, the well-known collector, Mr. 'Charles 0. Handlley, Jr., of the Division of Mammals of the United States National Museum, obtained an excellent series of mosses and hepatics on Prince Patrick Island. Since the bryophytes of this remote area have remained completely unknown until now, a special acknowledgment should be made to Mr. Handley for his painstaking and industrious attention to a group of organisms far removed from the center of his professional interest, the mammals. The specimens were received for identification through the courtesy of the United States National Herbarium, where the collection is now deposited. Prince Patrick Island, the northern of the two westernmost islands of the whole Canadian arctic archipelago, is situated between the parallels of 760 and 780 N. Bisected by the 120th meridian (W. Long.), this island lies due north of Banks Island, and of Great Bear Lake on the Canadian mainland. The great majority of the specimens reported upon here were collected in the vicinity of the weather station at Mould Bay (760 14' N., 1190 50' W.), at the southeast corner of the island, but a few are from Intrepid Inlet, which also faces the Crozier Channel somewhat farther north. As commander of H.M.S. 'Intrepid,' one of five ships under the command of Sir Edward Belcher, Captain Leopold McClintock discovered, fully explored and named Prince Patrick Island in 1853. Although this last official expedition sent out by the British Government to search for Sir John Franklin failed in its primary mission, a later expedition under private auspices, with MdClintock in command of the yacht 'Fox,' finally solved the mystery of the disappearance of Franklin and his ships (McClintock, 1859). The rigors of life and travel in arctic America prevented most of the early explorers from making botanical collections, especially of lower plants, and no bryophytes at all seem to have been known from Prince Patrick Island prior to Mr. Handley's visit, a circumstance that adds unusual importance to his collection. As wiAl be seen from the following catalogue of 5 species of hepatics and 93 of mosses, Handley's collection adds very considerably to our knowledge of the geographical distribution of bryophytes in northernmost America, filling in a previously unknowln western segment of the Canadian arctic archipelago. Species of especial significance in this collection, as representing major extensions of geographic range, are: Aulacomnium acuminatum, Barbula icmadophila, Bryobrittonia pellucida, Ceratodon heterophyllus, Cinclidium latifolium, Ctenidium molluscum, C. procerrimum, Desmatodon leucostomus, Distichium hageni, Drepanocladus lycopodioides, Hygrohypnum polare, Pottia heimii var. obtusifolia, Psilopilum cavifolium, Trichostomum cuspidatissimum, Stegonia latifolia, and Voitia hyperborea. Thebryophyte flora of Prince Patrick Island, as revealed by Mr. Handley's